By Evan Stoumbelis

Earlier today news broke that WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares had pulled out of his scheduled bout against Jon Fitch on July 5th.

WSOF Vice President and matchmaker Ali Abdel-Aziz was less than thrilled with Palhares withdrawing from the bout, and even more displeased with Palhares not giving a clear reason for withdrawing from the bout.

Palhares released the following message tonight on his withdrawal, saying his mother was sick and he needs to take care of her.

My friends, I love this sport, and will never give up on a fight. Accept any challenge, is the mark of a true warrior.

Unfortunately right now my family and I, we are facing a big fight, the fight for health, for life. My mother had 13 children, and devoted her life to educate and raised me, my brothers and sisters. At this point God tells me that I need to focus 100 percent of my life to take care of my mother. I’m doing everything possible, dedicating myself to the fullest in order to ensure that the person who put me in this world will be health again.

It wouldn’t be fair to Jon Fitch, to the fans that look up to me, and also with the WSOF if I go out there to performance myself without being in the best of my shape, technique and psychological conditions. It wouldn’t be fair to the MMA, our sport always determines that the athlete should be at his best limit to compete, it is no room for a mistake.

I understand that in the business field and as the capitalist world that we live in today that decision may not please everyone, but I’m a human being just like everyone else. As a good son it’s time for me to take care of my mother, she needs me.

We here at BJPENN.com would like to send our best wishes to Rousimar Palhares as well as his family.